Editor's Note: Breakthrough Winter 2004

If there is one thing I've learned it's that having information about something, whether it's a health-related issue or a problem you have, makes it a lot easier to figure out what to do.

I can't count the times in my life when faced with a challenge, I panicked because I had no idea what to do. But gradually, I learned gathering information about whatever I was facing helped me move forward and I began to see problems as opportunities to learn something new.

This might sound ridiculous, but when I first got my cat Elmo about 17 years ago, I had no idea what was going on when she started coughing and vomiting one morning as I was about to dash out the door. Well, just about any cat owner can tell you Elmo had a hairball and that cats regularly get hairballs, but at the time, I had no idea about this particular quirk. She was my first (and remains my only) cat. One anxious call to the vet to tell them what was happening and to get some basic information and I was far less anxious. Of course, I did feel a little embarrassed for my ignorance but getting that information helped me learn something I didn't know before and saved Elmo and I a trip to the vet.

This fall, CAMH launched the R. Samuel McLaughlin Information Centre. It's a place where anyone in Ontario can call or go to -- in person or on-line -- and access reliable and practical information on addictions and mental health. If you or anyone you know needs help learning about these problems, you can find lots of resources and support here. There's an article starting on page 1 where you can learn more.

On a final and related note, I just want to say that there's no such thing as a 'dumb' question. When you don't know something, you simply don't know it. So, if you have a question, ask it. I love it when people ask me questions. If I can answer them, great. If I can't, I find out where to get the answers. That's why I devote a whole page of Breakthrough to 'Clients are asking.'

Of course, if you have anything to ask me, call (416) 535-8501 ext. 6663.